Non-Slip Basics

ANTI-SLIP COATINGS

Engineered Anti-Slip coatings have been used for many years, yet these types of coatings are not widely known. For many years the U.S. Navy has been using epoxy non-skid to coat many types of surface vessels including aircraft carriers. The coatings raise the coefficient of friction of the deck and prevents slips and falls. On aircraft carriers, they stop aircraft and vehicles on the deck from sliding during movement at sea.

Of late, the commercial arena has cropped up with various anti-slip coatings for pedestrian, vehicular, and chemically aggressive environments. These coatings are being used because they reduce liability for companies through reduction in insurance claims for slips and falls.

Early Anti-Slip coatings originally consisted of paint coatings in which sand has been incorporated or broadcast on the surface. These original attempts by paint companies did not work well as the sand becomes dislodged and paint gets worn easily. Today's new classes of Anti-Slips are generally epoxy and contains aluminum oxide. These new breeds of coatings are different from just sand & paint. Epoxies are tough and chemically resistant while aluminum oxide is highly abrasive and resistant to wear. What makes these products unique is the way they are applied. Most Anti-Slip coatings are rolled using a napless roller. This is the solvent resistant phenolic core which you would expect to see inside your regular nap roller.

Application is performed by pouring ribbons of the coating and rolling it out in one direction. When the roller pulls the material, it creates unique ridges with furrows and troughs. These high and low areas provide improved traction. In harsh environments or where water or oil is present the liquids flow in the valleys between the ridges. These coatings can raise the coefficient of friction from 0.5,which is OSHA's minimum for smooth floors to greater than 1.20. Some coatings are sprayed but the majority in the marketplace today are rolled.

For example, recent American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines ( ADAAG) recommend minimum COF 0.60 for accessible routes and 0.80 for ramps. Most access ramps need to have some form of Anti-Slip applied to meet these minimums. Some of the most common surfaces need an Anti-Slip to prevent slips and falls. For example, Asphalt has a slip coefficient of 0.63-0.67 and Smooth Concrete is 0.74 . These surfaces would need a non-slip coating on a ramp. To learn more about anti-slip coatings, check the website at http://www.antislips.com .